By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The All Progressives Congress Media Network has condemned the recent outburst from Senator Akpoti Natasha directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, GCON, during plenary on Thursday.

It described such behaviour as not only disrespectful, but one that undermines the fundamental principles of decorum and order that govern the legislative body.

The network in a statement signed by its Director General, Otuekong Iniobong John and made available to News Express, noted that the operations of the Senate are firmly guided by a comprehensive framework of laws, the Senate Standing Orders 2023, as amended.

It explained that the laws are designed to maintain parliamentary conventions in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

The network said, ”According to Section 2(2) of these Standing Orders, the President of the Senate is explicitly empowered to regulate seating arrangements within the chamber.

“This authority is crucial for ensuring decorum, order, and an appropriate representation of the Senate’s diverse composition.

“Section 11(3) further reinforces this prerogative, asserting that the Senate President is responsible for managing chamber affairs in accordance with the political composition and any adjustments resulting from the defection or reassignment of members.

“The recent reassignment of Senator Akpoti Natasha’s seat was a necessary measure stemming from the defection of opposition senators to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This adjustment, rooted in time-honored parliamentary conventions, aimed to reflect the current makeup of the Senate accurately.

“It is essential to clarify that the reassignment was not intended to humiliate or oppress Senator Akpoti Natasha. It was a procedural adjustment that impacted several senators to align with the party’s current representation in the chamber. As per Senate protocol, it is customary for newer members to commence their tenure from the back rows, a practice that applies uniformly to all senators.”

While describing Senator Akpoti’s action as a clear breach of Senate regulations, specifically Section 10(2) of the Standing Orders, which requires senators to sit in their designated seats to contribute to debates or discussions, the media Network added,

“By attempting tol speak from a seat that was no longer allocated to her, she contravened Section 56(1) of the Standing Orders, granting the Senate President the authority to rule any senator out of order for violating established procedures.

“Consequently, Senator Akpoti Natasha was rightfully ruled out of order by the Senate President due to her infringement on the Senate’s Standing Orders and its parliamentary conventions.

“In light of these facts, we assert that any claims suggesting Senator Akpoti Natasha was treated unjustly by the Senate President are unfounded and lack merit. Her actions represent a blatant disregard for the Senate Standing Orders that all senators are mandated to uphold.

“Furthermore, her gender is irrelevant to this matter; no member of the Senate, regardless of gender, is above the established authority of the Senate President.”

The Network insisted that as a lawmaker, it is imperative for Senator Akpoti to exemplify lawful and law-abiding conduct.

It further condemned “her reprehensible behaviour” and called on all members to respect the Senate’s rules and the authority vested in its leadership.